Big vision, big constraints — and a layout that makes it all feel effortless.
 

Every successful renovation starts with space planning. Get it right, and everything else flows. Get it wrong, and even the most beautiful finishes can’t fix the frustration. That’s exactly why our client hit pause before pulling the trigger on a 2,300-square-foot basement build in Brookberry Farm.
 

With a contractor ready and preliminary plans in hand, he had a feeling something wasn’t quite working. His wish list was ambitious: kitchen, butler’s pantry, media room, lounge, wine store, fitness studio, half bath, primary suite with walk-in closet, dedicated storage, and a podcasting office — all tucked into a basement with limited natural light, immovable structural walls, and existing mechanical zones that couldn’t budge.
 

We began with concept boards and design studies to get a clear picture of both the spatial demands and the client’s vision: clean-lined and modern, with a nod to his years living in Atlanta. From there, we explored multiple iterations of the layout, always keeping structure, light, and circulation at the forefront.
 

Load-bearing walls were reinterpreted as architectural features — supporting wide openings with concealed columns and integrating exposed beams and LED-lit soffits to manage ductwork with intention and style. The bedroom naturally claimed its spot on the daylight elevation to meet code and usher in natural light, which then anchored the interlocking closet and bath layout.
 

We knew we needed to bring drama to balance the lower ceilings and windowless walls. A glass-enclosed wine store, placed right at the foot of the stairwell, offers a striking first impression. An open kitchen flows into living and dining zones, where a double-sided fireplace creates a sense of separation without compromising flow. A glass balustrade opens up the central stairwell, maintaining visual connection across the space.
 

In the end, we combined elements from three design options to craft a final plan that delivered everything the client wanted — plus a few surprises he didn’t know were possible. He trusted the process, and we’re so glad he did.

Construction is currently underway.